Five Premier League clubs ‘ARE battling for Philippe Coutinho in the summer
Five Premier League clubs are facing a tussle to win the signature of Barcelona cast-off Philippe Coutinho this summer, according to reports in Spain.
The former Liverpool midfielder is currently on loan at Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich but they will not be making the move permanent at the end of the season.
Coutinho is no longer wanted by Barcelona after failing to live up to expectation since his big money move from Anfield in January 2018.
Mundo Deportivo has claimed five Premier League clubs want to sign Philippe Coutinho
Bayern Munich decided against signing Coutinho permanently so he will return to Barcelona
But a host of Premier League clubs are willing to take the Brazilian off of their hands with as many as five clubs interested in a move this summer, according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo.
Their front page on Thursday boasts the headline ‘Premier Coutinho’ with the playmaker said to have his heart set on a return to the Premier League.
Chelsea, Newcastle, Manchester United, Arsenal and Leicester are all said to be interested in buying Coutinho this summer but, it is claimed, those clubs will need to pay around £90million to get a deal done.
The report reveals Chelsea are well placed in the race to sign the ex-Inter Milan prodigy but Arsenal are catching up them, with Mikel Arteta keeping a particularly close eye on things.
Newcastle, if their big-money Saudi takeover goes through, would also be an attractive option but their chances of landing Coutinho would depend on who is the manager.
The Brazilian midfielder has failed to impress since moving to the Nou Camp from Liverpool
United and Leicester are also interested but Old Trafford chief Ed Woodward has already warned the club will not be making expensive signings this summer. It remains to be seen if Leicester can afford such a fee and their squad will need strengthening if they qualify for the Champions League.
Coutinho made the switch to Barcelona from Liverpool in January 2018 but struggled to settle at the Nou Camp, where his current deal runs until the summer of 2023.
This season at Bayern, Coutinho has scored eight goals and provided six assists in 22 Bundesliga appearances.
Coutinho is currently struggling with an ankle injury which has kept him out of all three of Bayern’s games since the Bundesliga returned earlier this month.
